willandadri.com

trip to savannah

if you ever get a chance to head south to savannah, be sure and check out the forsyth mansion.  www.mansiononforsythpark.com

the place was incredible.  despite the terrential downpours of non-stop rain from the time of our arrival through sunday afternoon, we had an amazing time.

when we first arrived it was drizzling rain.  we checked in, checked out the hotel, and then when we saw the sky clear, we headed out.  we walked about 8 blocks, not really thinking it was going to start raining again.  we made it into this adorable store – one fish two fish – and did not even pay attention to what was going on outside.  when we got ready to leave the store we noticed it was pouring down rain.  we had no umbrella.  we waited for about 5 minutes and then decided we had best make a go of it.  at first we ran, skipped around puddles, hid under awnings and trees, but then it just became more and more pointless, so i removed my shoes and we just turned it into fun.  we had a great time.  when we got back to the hotel we were completely drenched, it was as if we had gone swimming in our clothes.  we asked the bellman for some towels and dried off just outside the hotel lobby.  trouble wherever we go?

the room

the exterior – front and pool

will and i went and had our home inspection on the new house today.  here are some photos of the property.

front of house

back yard

screened in porch

entry

kitchen

keeping room and breakfast corner

living room

dining room

master suite

second, third, fourth bedrooms and game room

this concludes today’s tour.

family vacation week was august 4 – august 11.  here are some of the highlights –

james and lori at the pool.

james at bubba’s fish shack.

james being silly going to see sharks.

james at the ocean (sporting his new surf shirt).

james showing off his tooth fairy exchange.

sisters.

cousins.

the parasailing crew.

the parents relaxing!

granny made it all possible!

anne and will!

here we are!  yesterday was our 6th year wedding anniversary.  we had a great day!  we got news that we are under contract for our new house and we had an amazing dinner at vin rouge.

this is our quaint little seat on the patio at vin rouge last evening.  we dined al fresco by candlelight among the rosemary and lavender in the gardens.  the weather actually cooperated and it was not too warm. 

vin rouge is a french bistro located in downtown durham.  we had never been to a true french restaurant and were very excited to go.  we started the evening with a glass of sparkling rose to toast the event, as well as the congrats to each other for the good news about the home purchase.  we ventured on the waiter’s recommendation and tried the daily featured sweet breads.  we had no clue what we were eating, but it was very good. (google this if you have never had it…)  we then sampled a chef’s plate of fromage.  all of the cheeses were amazing.  the waiter suggested we have madeira with our cheese plate, but they were running low so he gave us what they had left and then suggested a muscat dessert wine to pair with the cheese.  it was fantastic.  our entrees were hanger steak with herbed blue cheese butter and frites and a pan seared pork chop with pommes puree and pickled cabbage.  both dinners were amazing, and were served with a glass of pinot noir.  following dinner will ordered creme brulee and i had a chocolate torte.  we were so stuffed we could hardly eat another bite, but had to test out those fabulous desserts!

we had a very romantic evening!

she did it.  lori packed up (with assistance of mom and dad) and moved to indiana last weekend.  she has a story for you about the new apartment, but that will have to go on her own website! 

weekend get-away

went to visit delaine this weekend at her adorable cottage in covesville.  she has an amazing view of the mountains and has the place set up like a quaint little b&b.  very relaxing!

we toured downtown charlottesville and had a picnic on the lawn at uva.  the weather was amazing.  hard to believe it was a summer day in the middle of july!

we had dinner at a tapas restaurant called “mas” in downtown charlottesville.  everything was delicious, but we fell in love with “queso con miel de castana” – an oven roasted toast topped with austrian wild chestnut honey and bica cheese – to die for!  after dinner we went to “the creperie” and had a strawberry and chocolate crepe.  however, a few too many sangrias at mas sent us straight back to covesville!

delaine works up at wintergreen.  we headed up the mountain and stopped at wintergreen winery.  we sampled quite a few wines and selected our favorites.  on our way to the resort we stopped at a quaint little store and found some artisinal honey – hoping to make a replication of the tapas the night before!

after lunch at the wintergreen resort we headed to “king family vineyards” to watch a polo match.  again, the weather was amazing!  we pulled up for a little tail gating and enjoyed the game as well as the scenery.

(had to document this truck that was pushing me down the road.  yes, he is passing me and i am going 85mph.)

we went to see the durham bulls on friday the 13th.  it was actually a really exciting game, even though the bulls lost 4/3 in an extra inning against buffalo.  after the game they had a huge fireworks display, largest we had ever seen.  (wish i had the camera, but i forgot to bring it with me.)

after fireworks we went to tyler’s taproom.  we each had a beer, yes, i had beer!  however, it was peach beer.  did not taste like beer at all!  then we shared a plate of nachos and thai chili hotwings and discussed priorities for our upcoming home purchase. 

we had a great night.

the girls and i spent the day together while daddy had to catch up on his zzz’s from the late night before.  iliana wanted so badly to climb back into bed with daddy and could not understand why she could not go back and sleep until 2pm.  amelia kept me company in the office, and neither one minded having a lazy day.

husband started a week of shift work at his job today.   it’s just the beginning, but i miss him already.  hurry home husband!

so we bid a fond farewell to patrick today at work.  today was his last day before his wedding this saturday.  everyone keep them in your thoughts for a wonderful wedding weekend! 

amelia says work is overrated.  i have been working about 16 hours a day this week to train a new employee for work.  amelia says she and her sister are neglected and that i should just ditch work and come play with her.  she says work is overrated.

we ran a million errands today.  we left the house at 1:45 and did not get home until after 7.   being out of town last weekend had things piled up around here.  chores galore!  we always have target on the list, but had to go there twice today.  on the way home we realized we needed charcoal to grill out.  will ran back into target for trip numero dos, while i took a spin around the parking lot.  he was laughing when he came outside.  he said the cashier in the lane next to his said: “didn’t i see you in here earlier today?”  woops.  too many visits for one day.  anyways, we grilled out.  like how i help?  sitting in the rocking chair is very hard work!

i was a pretty big sad sack yesterday, so husband sent me some flowee.  he is such a good husband.  what a sweetums!